I had to mark this interview outcome as ‘Yes, got an offer, but declined’ because they didn’t have ‘offer withdrew’. However seeing the decorum of senior staff at Paper Salad, I think I may have dodged a bullet! I was looking forward to my interview. I was welcomed by polite staff, albeit in a near silent room, which I thought was odd in a creative environment, who forwarded me to the interview. During my interview I enjoyed the creative environment, but the interviewer came across as cold and hard faced. I felt I did well at the interview, showcasing myself and my talents, and that maybe the interviewer wasn’t used to interviewing, or had a lot of work to do and their head was elsewhere. Giving them the benefit of the doubt I plodded on. I was invited to a second interview to meet with the another person and the original interviewer. The interview followed the same process, the second interviewer was warmer, but the interview still lacked a professionalism I have had in the past. I was asked about salary. Being advertised at 18-20, and my work history of nearing on 5 years and broad skill set, I asked whether there would be any negotiation to the salary. And was met with a no. I politely requested the 20,000 but with scope to in the future have a review for a salary increase. This was agreed. The two offered me the job on the spot of my second interview. Having seemingly impressed them, and had a tour of the grounds, and being the prepared person I am I asked whether I could be given a contract to look over before I started. They agreed to my request. The two interviewers were busy with exhibition shows for the next few days whilst I awaited my contract, which was understandable. When emailed the contract I was given one without any of the details inserted, not even my job title, and blank spaces. I replied with a few queries, and with the request that a review down the line be written in to the contract, in which we could discuss my progress and a potential pay rise. I had silence for the next couple of days. The reason I thought was because they were still attending shows. However a few days later I received an email telling me the job offer had been withdrawn, as they couldn’t meet my requests. The email was filled with nonsense about the company making money and it would be years down the line that my work would give the company an increase in money and subsequently allow me an increase in wage, Having just turned down a job opportunity for more money, because this creative environment suited me better, furious and staggered by this job withdrawal, I rang the company up immediately and asked to speak to the first interviewer, who gave me the impression they could not be less bothered. They didn’t even know what was written in the email. The only input they gave was that I was being difficult before I’d even started to work for them, talking over me whenever I attempted to ask questions. And they gave me the second interviewers phone number. Calling them, they at least spent more time explaining their decision, albeit for nonsensical reasons, but at least they were willing to explain unlike the first. Reasons like I’d end up finding the work boring (even though we discussed possible creative opportunities) and they didn’t want to train someone for 3-6 months to have them leave. I’m more than qualified for this role. I would not need training on any software. Only the ins and outs of the company workings. So again, a ridiculous reason. They explained they felt I was wanting more and more money that they couldn’t offer - an opinion I was stunned to hear, having only requested the higher end of their advertised salary that they wrote, and a pay review further down the line. Why is this so terrible?! I explained about me turning down another job offer paying more to accept their more interesting role, and then they said they felt they had got the wrong end of the stick, and said well if we don’t understand each other now what would we be like working with each other. Again, flabbergasted at the statement. I am stunned these ‘business people’ find it so confusing that people would want to better themselves further down the line. I had so many ideas for starting work, and wholeheartedly looked forward to beginning a career there. The funny thing is in my first interview the they told me they had offered the job to someone but withdrew the job offer because the person didn’t seem enthusiastic enough. So I beg of you, sort yourselves out, what exactly do you want from this job role? Do you even want the role? Stop giving people job offers and snatching it from underneath them. Asking these basic questions is following protocol, NOT causing hassle!